Lexus :: any good?

[LordGrover]

A brief search turned up not a lot. I suppose they're not really PH cars, except in the barge section.

Anyhoo... considering moving from BMW as I just don;t like the look or feel of the current 3 series and the E46s are just too old now. I've never even been in one so just wondered what is the general consensus on the (rather dull?) IS and/or the new (even duller) CT100?
I don't do a lot of miles, maybe 10-12k p.a., mostly a ten mile each way commute through lanes and good B roads. NB. I usually have something else for entertaining 'proper' drives on a Sunday morning.

[excel monkey]

Does the IS (or the CT) do anything better dynamically than the equivalent 3 or 1 series?

They look nice, and I suppose they have rarity on their side, but I struggle to see past the E90 3 series.

[Pannywagon]

I've had an old shape IS but have also spent a lot of time driving the newer shape IS too. Apart from the manual gearbox on the new one I think it's nicer in every way than a 3 series.

For some reason Lexus made the gear change much more woolly on the latest car.

[Matt UK]

I drove an IS250 and it was not a patch on the BMW 6's

[LordGrover]

From what I've found in online reviews is that the manual gearbox is to be avoided which tallies with some of what you lot have said. Maybe the modern, trick-auto on the IS is the better option.
I suppose I'll just have to man-up and get down the show room to find out for myself.
Thank you.

[blindswelledrat]

I would be interested to hear your thoughts afterwards.

I think largely it just boils down to taste. They are both excellent cars in thier own right, for what they are there are loads of factors that will draw you to one or the other of them.

[LordGrover]

Had a sit in the CT 200h - a nice place to be, great seats... while in the showroom at least.

Arranged a test drive for next Saturday in both the CT and IS.